The cafeteria is big and loud at lunchtime. Children fill the long tables, laughing and talking. Anna sits at the end by herself.
Anna traces the edge of her lunch tray with one finger. Around her, children laugh and bump shoulders. She watches them, eyes wide, and wraps her arms around herself.
At recess, the kids play tag near the swings. Anna stands at the edge of the playground. She raises her hand, opens her mouth, but the sound gets caught. She lowers her hand and walks back toward the building.
Back at her table, Anna lifts her sandwich and sniffs. Warm bread. Salty cheese. She takes a small bite and chews slowly, listening to the rush of voices around her.
A girl with braids pulls out the chair next to Anna and asks if she can sit there. Anna blinks, surprised. Then she smiles and says yes.
The girl introduces herself as Maya. They trade favorite colors — blue, green, pink — until someone in line drops a tray and everyone laughs.
Anna and Maya sit side by side, sharing a cookie and whispering about their cat. The cafeteria buzzes around them, but they do not notice. Maya bumps her shoulder against Anna's, and they keep talking as the lunch bell rings.
The lunch bell rings. Anna and Maya finish their cookie and stand up together. Anna does not feel so small anymore.
